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lnkstands. No.148,804. PatentedMarch-24,1874.

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lnkstands. N0 ]48 804 Patented March 24,1874.

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G. \VYLLYS BETTS, OF NENV YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN INKSTANDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 148,804, dated March 24, 1874; application filed January 17, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, G. W YLLYS Bnrrs, of the city of New York, county of New York and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Inkstands, of which the following is a specification:

The object of my invention is to prevent ink from soiling the fingers in the ordinary process of writing. All previous devices for this purpose have been unsuccessful, because, being either of some peculiar construction of the mouth of the inkstand, or some attachment to or arrangement of the pen-holder, they have not reached the source of the evil. This is found to be, in most instances, not the dipping of the pen too far into the ink, to prevent which former contrivances have aimed, but the habit of clearing the nib of the pen by scraping it against the inner edge of the mouth of the inkstand; for clots and drops of ink thus collect aroimd the mouth and upon the interior of the neck, and with them, when the pen is next dipped into the ink, that part of the holder which the fingers clasp comes in contact. Ink is thus transferred from pen to neck, from neck to holder, and from holder to the fingers. I have discovered that the application of blotting-paper around and within the mouth of the inkstand so as to absorb the drops of ink that would collect and clot there, and so that the pen-holder, when the pen is dipped into the ink, shall'touch only absorb in g material, is a complete preventive. My invention, therefore, consists of blotting-paper, or other suitable absorbing material, so manufactured and formed that it may be applied to, and around, or so as to fit the mouth of, an inkstand; and also in the application of blotting-paper to the mouth of an inkstand in such wise that it will leave the aperture of the mouth open, while covering its inner edge and the interior'of the neck, for the purpose of absorbing the drops of ink that are left upon these places-by the pen, preventing the penholder, whenthe pen is dipped into the ink, from touching anything but the absorbing material.

A simple form of my invention is shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, and is intended for application to inkstands with the common cylindrical neck.

Fig.1 represents a rectangular strip of blotting-paper stamped or cut so that it may be bent to fit the mouth of an inkstand. Fig. 2 represents the same, in perspective, bent so as to fit the mouth of an inkstand. Fig. 3 repre-' sents, in perspective, an inkstand with the blotting-paper attached. Fig. 4 represents, in perspective, a strip of blotting-paper manu factured in bent form. Fig. 5 represents a form of absorbing material with springs for attachment. Fig. 6 represents the same applied to the mouth of an inkstand. Fig. 7 represents a slide at the mouth of an inkstand, and holding another form of absorber. Fig. 8 represents blotting paper cut in form to fit a semicircular mouth. Fig. 9 represents an absorber with a cover for the mouth attached. Fig. 10 represents the blotting-paper pressed into cylindrical or conical form.

A rectangular strip of blotting-paper, Fig. 1, the length of which should equal the inner circumference of the mouth of the inkstand to which it is to be applied, is cut into a fringe or points on one of the longer sides by slits a a, of equal length, and extending up to a line, b b, drawn at any convenient position between and parallel to the longer sides. The fringe or points are bent along the line b I) all on the same side, and so as to form a right angle with the uncut portion 0, which is then bent into the form of a circle, Fig. 2, so that the ends I) I) meet. The uncut portion 0 is inserted, Fig. 3, into the neck of the inkstand D, the ends I) b overlapping, if necessary, and the points or fringe projecting around the mouth of the inkstand, so as to prevent the blottingpaper from falling into the ink, and at the same time so as to leave the mouth of the inkstand open.

YVhen formed and applied in this way the blotting-paper fits securely the mouth of the inkstand, the tendency of the paper to uncoil holding it firmly against the inside of the neck. It is also easily removed when renewal is necessary. A single piece of blottingpaper so formed and applied to an inkstand in constant use should ordinarily retain its absorbing power and not need replacing for about one week.

My invention may be introduced to the public, and put upon the market, in substantially the form represented in Fig. 1, as a new article of manufacture, and may be sold singly or by the box as regular stationers goods.

The blotting-paper should be of sufficient thickness to absorb easily; and, if too thick to be easily bent, the line b I) may be stamped or cut into and partly through the paper to facilitate bending the points or fringe outward, Figs. 2 and 3; or the absorber may be manufactured with the points or fringe at a right angle with the portion 0, as shown in Fig. 4. This will also allow the use of thicker material, and prevent it from breaking along the line b I).

Some forms of inkstands may not admit of the application of blotting-paper or its equiv alent when manufactured and formed as aforesaid, but may require springs or clamps, or slides or other suitable fastenin gs, attached either to the inkstand or paper, for holding the absorber securely so as to cover or protect the places with which the pen and holder would successively come in contact. (See Figs. 5, 6, and 7.) They may also require that the blotting paper be out or stamped in some other form than that represented in Fig. 1, so as to'fit a peculiarly-shaped mouth or neck, or so as merely to cover or project over the same. (See Fig. 8 for application to a semicircular mouth, as shown.) A portion of the fringe or one or more of the points may be cut away so as not to interfere with the lid of the inkstand. A portion of 4 the fringe or one or more of the points may be extended, (see Fig. 9,) so as to form a cover to be bent over the mouth of the inkstand 5 or a cover may be suitably hinged for like purpose, and this may be used as well to prevent dust from collecting within, as for a convenient place to print or attach advertisements, or other matter ornamental or useful. The fringe or points may be black so as not to show ink-stains; or they may be ornamented in any suitable manner.

Blotting-paper may be pressed when soft or in pulp into such form as to fit the mouth of any given style of inkstand. Fig. 10 represents it when pressed so as to fit the mouth of the inkstand D, Fig. 3. In this case, however, the absorber may not be capable of being adjusted to fit the neck of an inkstand different in size or shape from that for which it is expressly made.

The strips of blotting-paper represented in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 may, by tighter or looser coiling, be made to fit and be securely applied to any size of inkstand in which the inner sides of the neck are perpendicular to the plane of the mouth.

I claim as my invention 1. A new article of manufacture consisting of an absorbent lining for inkstands, so constructed as to extend into the throat and overlap the flange or mouth thereof.

2. The combination, with an inkstand, of an absorbent lining for the mouth and throat for the purpose of absorbing a surplusage of ink upon the pen.

3. An inkstand provided with suitable fastenings for holding absorbent material at the mouth thereof, as and for the purpose specified.

4. Absorbent material. manufactured for the purpose specified, and provided with suitable fastenings for attaching the same to the mouth of an inkstand, substantially as described.

0. VVYLLYS BETTS.

Witnesses:

FRANK A. IRIsH, FREDERIC H. BETTS. 

